Measures to halt swine flu's spread, such as limiting the transportation of pork, risks destroying the livelihoods of families who lack the expertise and funds to protect their herds.

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Millions of small-scale pig farmers across Asia risk falling into poverty due to the rapid spread of African swine fever, the United Nations warned on Tuesday.

The incurable disease, which is deadly to pigs but harmless to humans, was first detected last August in China, the world’s largest pork producer.

It has since spread thousands of kilometres and “vulnerable” subsistence farmers in countries including Vietnam, Cambodia and Mongolia are particularly at risk, said the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).

Measures to halt swine flu’s spread, such as limiting the transportation of pork, risks destroying the livelihoods of families who lack the expertise and funds to protect their herds, said the FAO’s report.

The decline in production of pig meat, which is largely consumed by poor households, and the depletion of frozen stocks could drive up prices and further strain people’s finances, it said.

“It’s important that these farmers get help as soon as possible, especially as it appears the virus is not contained,” said Cristina Coslet, an FAO economist.

“We’ve contacted our offices in affected countries and while it will take some time to get the exact numbers, we have reports that the small farmers’ incomes are already affected,” she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation from Rome by phone.

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It’s important that these farmers get help as soon as possible, especially as it appears the virus is not contained.

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